UQ helps rebuild Thai tourism

UQ's School of Tourism has played a pivotal role in brokering the development of the Thai-Australian Tourism and Hospitality Centre.

The establishment of the centre in 2008 has been essential to capacity building of the vocational hospitality and tourism workforce in Thailand – an area the Thai government has identified as critical to the country's economic growth.

School of Tourism academic Dr Charles Arcodia and research assistant Ms Chantal Dickson have played a key role in overseeing the establishment of the centre, which will assist in building strong relationships with Thai counterparts, manage project steering committee meetings, undertake project reviews and manage scholarship programs.

The centre is also responsible for the delivery of competency-based training to directors and instructors of vocational and technical colleges in the tsunami-affected areas of Thailand.

"The funding for this initiative was provided by a joint Australian and Thai government grant,” Dr Arcodia said.

“It is an excellent example of international collaboration in capacity building and in direct response to a Tsunami-affected region. It should provide a creative platform for future educational and research initiatives."

A delegation of 20 Thai representatives travelled to Australia in August last year where they participated in an intensive two week executive education training and development program hosted by the School of Tourism.

Media: Cate Clifford at UQ Tourism (07 3346 8717, c.clifford@uq.edu.au)